Microlighters

There have been some safety issues regarding the handling of the fortuner. Toyota have come to the conclusion that the side wall of the original tyre is too soft and causes "gatswaai" on corrugated dirt roads. Toyota are asking owners to take their vehicles to a dealer to be inspected and if it is discovered that the tyres are dodgy, they will replace them, you just pay for the wear. I paid R 1500 for 5 new tyres. Be careful guys, this is a serious issue.

Amd even if you never go on dirt roads its a good way to get new tyres for next to nothing, and good tyres are always better for your safety.

Hey Len, we spoke about this remember.....

Yes, my Softness' Fortuner behaved very badly once on a dirt road in the Karoo and I told Bad Nav about it during our trip to Aghulus in it. I was very surprised when it 'gatswaaid' badly since I owned a Land Cruizer for many years that was faultless on and off road.

We will be taking it to Toyota on Monday to have it checked out.

Thanks for the heads-up Nkwazi!

Len

Better be careful, you are going to be reprimanded for discussing things other than "flying" or "microlights"!!!

As long as you don't show nudity Barry will let it run....so I hope we will be okay

Wart wrote:Better be careful, you are going to be reprimanded for discussing things other than "flying" or "microlights"!!!

johnsa wrote:As long as you don't show nudity Barry will let it run....so I hope we will be okay

Wart wrote:Better be careful, you are going to be reprimanded for discussing things other than "flying" or "microlights"!!!

You guys must please be very careful when towing your Microlight on a dirt road in a Fortuner

Problem solved

Yes.... and when you roll you become AIRBORNE!

http://www.teknikensvarld.se/tvtv/071031-toyota-hilux/
Click on the image

I know of an accident in Postmasburg where a young guy rolled his dad's Fortuner in a short little street with a slight bend in it!

Yeah this is a very much discussed issue on the 4x4 forums and been a long time coming. It does seem to be worse when towing and I suspect that except from 'maybe' a tyre issue they went with a too conservative spring rate and shock valving to improve the ride instead of going with a shock that is stiff and springs that maybe bumps a little more. Friend of mine is in the suspension industry (KONI) and they have a suspension setup that makes a huge improvement on the stabilty without changing the tyres. Personally if I owned one I'd go the the changed springs and shock before bothering with a tyre change. Of course getting new tyres at a good price is not a bad idea anyway

I'd do both..... but then, Toyota gets off lightly!

When one buys a vehicle, you don't want to have to spend thousands getting right that what the engineers couldn't.

That's no maybe but I'm thinking they are trying to dodge a recall bullet here that might cost millions.

Not only the back suspension but also the front suspension and steering system (links & swivels) are under suspect. The problems in the front end up in the back suspension.

Has recently seen two (1 x Fortuner & 1 x D/cab Hilux) doing ground loops ending up on their sides at low speeds (80km/h) on gravel roads. Roof top tents and lugage on top seems to add to the problems experienced.

So rather fly your micro light than towing it with a Fortuner or Hilux.